If you’re expecting a little one, you may already be familiar with some of the common discomforts during pregnancy – swelling, sciatic nerve pain and achy joints and muscles.
Your body is experiencing a number of hormonal, skeletal and circulatory changes, resulting in some of those “joys” of pregnancy such as muscle tension and swelling.
Swedish massage may provide relief. This particular kind of massage, recommended by the American Pregnancy Association (APA), aims to relax muscle tension and improve lymphatic and blood circulation through mild pressure applied to the muscle groups of the body.
Studies indicate that massage therapy during pregnancy not only reduces anxiety, decreases symptoms of depression and relieves muscle aches, but also may improve labor outcomes and newborn health.
Before getting a massage, however, the APA recommends talking to your prenatal care provider first. And be sure to seek care from a certified prenatal massage therapist, who has received training beyond the national standard for massage therapists and knows how to address specific pregnancy needs and sensitive areas of the body.